# US 8,572,507 B2 · Systems and methods for interacting with dynamic protocols

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- Number: US 8,572,507 B2
- Document ID: US8572507B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/049,969
- Filed: 2011-03-17
- Published: 2011-11-24
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2010-05-19
- Assignees: Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.
- Applicants: Kevin Abrams; Douglas Hayworth
- Inventors: Kevin Abrams; Douglas Hayworth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8572507B2

## CPC

- G16H 10/40: for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

Systems and methods to provide users with a user interface at the point of use that provides customizable, interactive protocols, where a protocol is typically an instruction set, procedure, or methodology.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A laboratory protocol interface computer system comprising at least one processor configured with:
a dynamic module that specifies a plurality of stages of a protocol for a laboratory procedure, where a selected stage of the plurality of stages includes a procedure instruction for performing the selected stage of the protocol and an associated timer;
a user interface that enables a user to interact with the protocol specified by the module, where the user interface presents the user with the procedure instruction for the selected stage, enables the user to utilize the associated timer at a selected stage of a protocol controllably displayed, initiated, and terminated at will by the user on the user interface or a remote device to integrate the timer with the instruction for at least one of incubation, reaction, interval, reagent addition, sample removal, aliquot removal, and proceeding to a subsequent task to alert the user in real time during a protocol at the user's discretion and allows the user to customize and/or share the protocol; and
a module manager that administers the module, such that the module manager modifies the module based at least in part upon user input received through the user interface to customize the protocol.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 where the user interface is implemented on a portable device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 where the protocol interface system communicates with an electronic device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a module repository of laboratory procedures, where the module manager obtains the module from the module repository.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 where the protocol is a manufacturing method.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 where the protocol is a scientific method.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 where the protocol is selected from the group consisting of a biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology or protein research laboratory method.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the timer displays a time for a timed protocol step and indicates when the time has expired.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the timer permits at least one of a start, end, pause, reset, and default time.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the timer is customizable.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the timer processes at least two protocols at the same time.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the associated timer guides a user through a stage to a next stage of the protocol.

### Claim 13

A laboratory protocol interface computer system comprising at least one processor configured with
a dynamic module that specifies a plurality of stages of a protocol for a laboratory procedure, where a selected stage of the plurality of stages includes a procedure instruction for performing the selected stage of the protocol and an associated tool for performing the selected stage;
a user interface capable of directing the operation of an electronic device, wherein the user interface enables a user to interact with the protocol specified by the module, where the user interface presents the user with the procedure instruction for the selected stage, enables the user to utilize an associated timer at a selected stage of a protocol controllably displayed, initiated, and terminated at will by the user on the user interface or a remote device to integrate the timer with the instruction for at least one of incubation, reaction, interval, reagent addition, sample removal, aliquot removal, and proceeding to a subsequent task to alert the user in real time during a protocol at the user's discretion and allows the user to customize and/or share the protocol; and
a module manager that administers the module, such that the module manager modifies the module based at least in part upon user input received through the user interface to customize the protocol.